HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-01-2023 Council Work Session Minutes CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
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4 DATE : May 1 2023
5 TIME STARTED : 6:00 PM
6 TIME ENDED : 7:15 PM
7 MEMBERS PRESENT : Councilmembers Stoesz, Lyden, Ruhland
8 Cavegn and Mayor Rafferty
9 MEMBERS ABSENT : None
10 Staff members present: City Administrator Sarah Cotton; Director of Public Safety John
11 Swenson; Community Development Director Michael Grochala, Public Services Director
12 Rick DeGardner; City Clerk Jolleen Chaika.
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14 1. Wetland Bank Prospectus
15 Community Development Director Michael Grochala presented to Council on the status of
16 the Wetland bank Prospectus as the City continues to consider establishment of a wetland
17 bank on property located east of 35E and north of Main Street. The City has notified the
18 owners of our interest;the owners are conferring with their legal and financial advisors and
19 will update the City as to their decision. Director Grochala explained the three (3) steps
20 required to establish a wetland: Draft Prospectus, Prospectus, and Mitigation Banking
21 Instrument. Director Grochala provided explanation as to wetland credits, sale of wetland,
22 and City ownership of the wetland in perpetuity. The City is currently set to proceed to
23 Step 2, Prospectus; Director Grochala sought direction from Council as to moving forward
24 to Step 2.
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26 Councilmember Stoesz asked if a smaller portion of the land would make sense if the
27 property owners do not want to sell all. Director Grochala advised any less land than what
28 is currently proposed would not be worthwhile.
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30 Councilmember Ruhland inquired of higher water levels and any impact that may have in
31 the bank. Director Grochala explained that monitoring of levels is ongoing and that the
32 land has existing drain tile which leads to the assumption of higher ground water levels, a
33 good sign for building up wetlands.
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35 Council directed a proposal for Step 2 be brought forward for full Council consideration
36 and approval.
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38 2. Public Works Facility Site Selection
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40 Community Development Director Michael Grochala requested further guidance from
41 Council on the site selection of a future public works facility. He reviewed a 2017 analysis
42 of the existing public works site at Main Street and Birch Street properties, as well as a
43 further evaluation of the existing site in 2019. He asked for further input from Council as
44 to focus on these two sites or include other areas to evaluate.
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
46 Discussion was held,primarily focused on the current site off of Main Street: utilities(gas)
47 on the site, and bringing sewer and water to the current site. Council also discussed that at
48 the current site, there is an opportunity to take on space that is currently occupied by ball
49 fields and a hockey rink, though these could be reimagined and expanded in the northwest
50 area of the site.
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52 Director Grochala also provided a general estimate of costs to city connected sewer and
53 water services to the Main Street site: Approximately$1 million as of an estimate provided
54 several years ago; though he noted that providing onsite site services could run anywhere
55 from $500,000 - $700,000.
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57 Council directed that the focus should be on the site off of Main Street.
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59 3. Draft Five Year Street Reconstruction Plan
60 Community Development Director Michael Grochala presented the draft 2024-2028 Five
61 Year street Reconstruction Plan and explained the bonding process for funding the project.
62 He highlighted,relevant state statutes relating to bonding and noted that no special election
63 is required if no petition is received, and provided the general timeline and date
64 requirements as referenced in his staff report required to ensure compliance with any
65 special election if needed. He requested Council direction on setting a public hearing.
66 Council supported setting the required public hearing within the timeframes described by
67 Director Grochala.
68 4. Consideration for Council Resolution to Allow the Operation of Motorized Carts
69 on Blanchard Blvd. by Lyngblomsten
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71 Public Safety Director John Swenson sought Council direction related to a request from
72 the Lyngblomsten group for operation of golf carts on Blanchard Boulevard to allow for
73 maintenance of the grounds and transportation of potential residents about the campus. He
74 noted that Lyngblomsten owns most roads within the campus so operation of golf carts is
75 allowed in those areas; Blanchard Boulevard is a public street so a resolution of
76 authorization by Council is required for operation of golf carts on that road.
77 Councilmember Lyden inquired of residents be living in the area and if there anything that
78 would preclude the residents from having their own golf carts to get around? Director
79 Swenson said that could be a potential issue down the road and may need to be addressed
80 at a future date.
81 5. Council Updates on Boards/Commissions
82 Councilmember Ruhland provided an update on the approved budget from the Fire
83 Protection Council.
84 Public Safety Director John Swenson also provided a brief update on the Joint Law
85 Enforcement Council which met the past week: He advised that the budget was approved
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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
86 with minor changes as to allocation of costs which will result in slight increases for police
87 RMS costs but decreases for fire RMS costs. He also advised that the taxing authority
88 omnibus bill did not make it through the legislative session: It passed in the senate but
89 stalled in the house and has been sent back to committee.
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91 6. Water Treatment Plant Land Purchase(closed meeting)
92 The work session was recessed at 7:15 PM for a Closed Session of the Council to discuss
93 purchase of real property. The Council reconvened the Work Session at 7:18 PM.
94 A) Motion to: Direct Staff to Prepare an Agreement for Council
95 consideration at the May 8 regular meeting.
RESULT: CARRIED[UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ruhland
SECONDER: Stoesz
AYES: Ruhland,Stoesz,Lyden, Cavegn,Rafferty
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97
98 The Work Session was adjourned at 7:20 PM.
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100 These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council meeting May 8, 2023.
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104 ` 11 '' 1\-4rttd"/
105 Jolleen Chaika, City Clerk Rob affe y, Mayor
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